temple · Kandy · $10 · 95km from Colombo

Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine, holding the tooth relic of the Buddha, on the north shore of Kandy Lake. The complex includes the old royal palace buildings and the octagonal Pattirippuwa, now the temple library. UNESCO listed the Sacred City of Kandy in 1988.

Best time to visit

During a puja: roughly 5:30am, 9:30am or 6:30pm, when the drums play and the inner shrine opens

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours

Tips

Cover shoulders and knees (sarongs can be rented), leave shoes at the counter by the entrance and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before a puja. Carry rupees; tickets come from machines at the entrance.